I was on the BA297 (LHR ORD) about 10 days ago and the during the landing checks a customer/passenger (you decide!) had a sweater wedged between the footstool and the rear bulkhead at row 15.
As the cabin crew did their final checks he asked one if the sweater should be put in the overhead and the CC's response was, "No, I'll just pretend I didn't see it." and she walked on.
Now, I realise that a sweater wedged behind the footstool was EXTREMELY unlikely to cause a safety issue (and obviously it didn't or I wouldn't be here to tell the tale) but if the rule is that nothing should be behind the footstool then she shouldn't undermine her own authority by "pretending" not to see it. If the rule is only that the floor area needs to be free and the sweater was fine, then she shouldn't joke about "pretending not to see it" as it also undermines her authority and possibly the authority of any future flight attendants this customer comes across.